Mel Sembler: Florida developer and top Republican fundraiser, dies at 93

Mel Sembler passed away on October 31, 2023, at the age of 93. Sembler earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in 1952. He was of Jewish descent.

Mel Sembler was an American diplomat who was the United States Ambassador to Italy, and Ambassador to Australia and Nauru, and has also served as chairman of the board of the Sembler Company.

Mel Sembler was a Republican fundraiser from 1979 and raised a record $21.3 million at a single dinner in April 2000. During the 1988 Presidential campaign, Sembler served on the National Steering Committee and the National Finance Committee for the George H. W. Bush for President campaign.

Mel Sembler is a resident member of the Florida Council of 100, a business advisory council to the governor of Florida. Sembler was married to Betty Schlesinger from 1953 until her death in 2022. They had three children together.

Mel Sembler served as co-chairman of the Republican National Committee’s Team 100 and finance co-chairman of the American Bicentennial Presidential Inaugural, and from 1993 to 1995 he was finance chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.